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Niagara University Athletics

Johnson

Women's Basketball

Purple Eagles Host Binghamton in Saturday Matinee

Game Notes | Live Video | Live Stats

"The Searchers"
The Niagara Purple Eagles are set for a matinée matchup against the Binghamton Bearcats on Saturday in the 'Taps' Gallagher Center at 2:00 p.m.
    
Saturday's game will feature two teams still searching for their first win of the 2013-14 season.  The Purple Eagles (0-3) have some positives to build on from Tuesday's contest against St. Bonaventure where, for the third consecutive game, NU had three players finish with double-digit points; Val McQuade had a team-high 13 points and both Taylor McKay and Sylvia Maxwell scored 10.  The team shot 41.5 percent (17-for-41) from the floor, which includes a 6-for-14 (42.9 percent) clip from beyond the arc, and hit 17-of-20 chances from the free throw line.
    
The Bearcats come to campus after dropping a 66-53 decision to the Canisius Golden Griffins.  BU had two players, Sherae Swinson and Vaneeshia Faulk, finish with double digits points but it allowed their opponents to shoot 52.4 percent (11-for-21) in the second half.  The Bearcats have struggled in the backcourt this year, allowing opponents to shoot nearly 48 percent from the floor on the season, which includes their matchup against Bucknell where the Bisons shot 65 percent (34-for-54) on their way to an 89-48 win.
    
Niagara has won the last three games against the Bearcats, bringing their record to 3-1 versus BU under head coach Kendra Faustin.  The last time these two met was on Dec. 10, 2012 in Vestal, N.Y.  The Purple Eagles led throughout most of the game, thanks in part to a 12-point run in the opening half that gave them the 22-10 lead.  Binghamton put together a run of its own in the second to briefly take the lead, 42-41, but Niagara responded immediately to take it back. Niagara hit 9-of-12 chances from the free throw line in the final two minutes to hang onto the lead for good and come away with a 63-57 victory.
    
Prior to last season's meeting, the Purple Eagles topped the Bearcats 64-53 in 2011-12 and 57-52 back in 2009-10. 
    
Senior guard Chanel Johnson has two career games against the Bearcats and has scored eight points in each.  She has also added a combined eight rebounds and five assists.  While Johnson is the highest returning scorer from last season's meeting, Meghan McGuinness is the returning rebounding leader. The junior contributed eight rebounds in the win.

How To Tune In
•    Purple Eagle fans can follow all of Saturday's action via PurpleEagles.com.  A live video broadcast will be provided through Purple Eagles All-Access with announcer Dave Universal.  Live stats will be provided.
 
Against the Bearcats (Niagara leads 3-1)
•  This will be the fifth matchup between these two teams in the last six seasons.  Niagara won the last two meetings 57-52 and 64-53. 
 
Against the America East Conference
•  Niagara has played six of the nine teams that make up the present day America East.  Coming into Saturday's game with a 8-5 record against the conference, there is only one team Niagara has played that they have yet to beat (Albany).  They have at least one win against the other programs they've faced. 
 
"The Wings Of Eagles"
•  Niagara's 85.7 percent (48-for-56) success rate at the free-throw line leads the MAAC.  Iona is second at 84.3 percent (75-for-89).
•  Quinnipiac and Rider are tied for the most free throw attempts, with 92, but fourth and fifth in free throw percentage, respectively.
 
"Ca Plane Pour Moi"
•  Three players are perfect from the foul line through this season's first three games; Gabby Baldasare has hit both chances, Meghan McGuinness is 4-for-4 while freshman Victoria Rampado has hit all 11 free throws she has attempted.
•  Sylvia Maxwell has been sent to the line a team-leading 14 times and has converted 12 of them.  Taylor McKay is 8-for-10.
 
"The Train Robbers"
•  The Purple Eagles have 23 steals through the first three games this season, ranking them third in the conference with 7.7 steals per game. 
•  Siena leads the MAAC with 10.5 steals per game.
 
"The [Wo]Man Who Shot Liberty Valance"
•  Meghan McGuinness is fourth in the conference with a .526 three-point percentage (10-for-19).
•  She is one of two players with a three-point percentage over .500 with double-digit attempts.  The other is Canisius' Kayla Hoohuli who is at an even .500.
 
"Reason To Believe"
•  The last time NU started the season with a pair of loses was the 2011-12 season.  They would go on to tie for 4th place in the MAAC and make a MAAC Tournament semifinal appearance.
 
Women's Basketball Free Youth Clinic
•   The Niagara women's basketball team will hold a free youth clinic after its next home game, a Saturday Dec. 7th matchup against Robert Morris. 
•   The game begins at 2:00 p.m. with the camp following immediately after.  Kids eighth grade and below are welcome and the clinic is free with the purchase of a ticket to the game.
•   Participants will be able to meet the players, receive a signed team poster, get a tour of the team locker room, and participate in games and drills with the players and coaches.
 
"Visiting Ours"
•    Niagara Athletics is unveiling a new ticket policy for all Niagara women's basketball home games.  Fans can present a purchased ticket from a previous NU sporting event (men's/women's basketball or men's hockey) from the 2013-14 season at the Gallagher Center ticket office and receive a complimentary ticket to that night's women's basketball game.    
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